"Even if he is a killer, he does have rules. I only know two; he doesn't kill kids, and he doesn't kill good friends... most of the time." As Vernon explained this, the crowd began to push in more, wanting to watch the scene. So, he got up, and began to bark orders. The voice came through his helmet slightly computerized, but was easily understandable and distinctly human. "Everyone, stand back! We need room to work!" And yet, his digitally amplified voice did nothing. So, Vernon changed his right gauntlet into an arm cannon. He then aimed directly upwards, and fired into the sky three times. "STAND. BACK," said Vernon as he changed his cannon back into a gauntlet. He then turned back to the woman and the boy, and began to watch the procedure in case he was needed. Occasionally, he would stand again, and have to force the crowd back.

[i]She helped him to his feet, he stood up shakily, but seemed ok.[/i] Look, I'm serious, I'm alright, please... [i]He said, trying to escape her grip.[/i] Monsieur, what you survived would have killed the average person. I need to perform a more detailed assessment of your condition, and I do not think either of us want to do it with all of these people crowding us. I can take you to the building I have bought, I have more medical equipment there. [i]She said cooly.[/i] Please, I don't need any help, I'm fine, I promise. [i]His protests fell upon deaf ears, as she helped him walk. Turning to JJ, the woman spoke.[/i] Could you please clear us a path? My home is just a block north of here. [i]She asked.[/i]

"I've got you covered." Vernon stood up yet again, and then fired into the air again. "Alright, people! Clear a path going this way, or I'm gonna punch you with the suit on!" Vernon barked. The crowd began to part, albeit slowly. He began to push ahead of his companions, trying to keep the path wide enough. One man who looked to be the age of around 26 decided to stop and take a photo of what was happening, instead of getting out of the way. So, Vernon grabbed his face, and tossed him to the side. Two other people standing aside caught the man, as Vernon began to push forward again. Eventually, the three made their way out of the crowd and began their way toward the house. Vernon looked over at the pair now that the crowd was gone, and saw the effort it was taking for the woman to support the wounded boy. "I can easily carry him without hurting him more. Let me take him." Vernon then stepped closer to the boy, slightly bowing and offering his shoulder.

Dude... I'm good.... I'm alright. [i]He seemed to be staggering, but he wasn't complaining.[/i] I don't think I'm hurt, at least not seriously... The booster on my boot is messed up, think there's a bullet lodged in there. [i]He said.[/i] I've got tools to remove the suit if it is too damaged to come off normally. [i]The woman replied.[/i] [i]As they made their way through all the people, they turned into a small two-storey building, the woman opening the door, and gesturing for the boy to lay down onto a medical table so she could get his armor off. He did as instructed, with minor protest. The woman ran off into another room to bring her tools, the boy already disconnecting different pieces of armor. He disconnected his chestplate and torso armor, then his gauntlets. He was fairly thin, and of a small build. He wore a simple tank top and a diver's watch. He disconnected the upper leg armor, and the boot over his undamaged foot, but he could not disconnect the one which had been shot. He wore a pair of holey jeans and Vans, odd attire for someone who was walking around with such advanced armor. The woman had entered soon after with a set of strange tools, ones JJ could only assume were for removing damaged exo parts. She set to work, and after a few minutes, she was able to remove the damaged boot and free his other foot. He was about to protest, but he did not, seeing that at this point it was futile. Taking her kit of tools back, the woman returned without her armor, wearing a leather bomber jacket and combat pants. She brought with her a larger medical bag, and set it down on the floor. [/i] Look, I'm fine, honestly... OW Jesus, that hurts! [i]He shouted as she put pressure on his back. Rolling up the shirt, she exposed a plethora of nasty bruises from the bullets Wilson had fired across his back.[/i] Your back looks like a mosaic of purple and brown, Monsieur. You're definitely quite alright. [i]She said sarcastically.[/i] [i]She began to go over the rest of him, which he seemed to think was totally awkward. Leaning back after a full physical, she spoke.[/i] Aside from the bruising, you are lucky. [i]She said, sounding astonished.[/i] Can I go now? [i]He asked.[/i]

"I'll go ahead and answer that one for you: No. For one, your suit's busted. I can do some repairs to get it in working order, if need be. But do you know who you just stole from, right? I've seen that man stab someone he considers a friend simply to make a point. If you were older, he woulda torn your head off and probably fed it to his mutated lizard!" After that show, Vernon just took a second to catch his breath, with his visor resting in his hand. After a moment, he lifts his head back up and sighs. "Sorry. As you can tell, he and I have some bad blood. Name's JJ, by the way. How about you two?"

[i]The doctor spoke, packing her medical bag back up.[/i] Rose. Rose Mercier. [i]The boy did not speak, instead looking to his armor, fooling around with his boot to see how serious the damage was.[/i] I can fix this fairly easily, I'm good with tech. [i]He said, dodging the other question.[/i]

"Nice to meet you, Rose," said JJ just before the boy spoke up. When he did speak, JJ simply closed his eyes behind his helmet, and shook his head. He decided to take off his helmet, not knowing if the cold, faceless visor was making him untrustworthy. He then faced the boy, and stepped closer to the table he was on top of. "Why do you even need a reactor core? I saw Wilson running off with one just after he shot you."

[i]She nodded silently.[/i] Someone paid me to do it. [i]He said, fooling around with the thruster, not bothering to look up.[/i]

"Then that person's trying to get you killed. And yet, after getting shot multiple times, you look like you're gonna try again. Why? How much money are you being offered? Or... what dirt does your employer have on you?" JJ's face was inquisitive, his eyes searching the boy's body language for any signs of dishonesty. "You can speak freely with Rose and I. She's a medic, and I have no interest in ruining someone by spreading secrets.

When you have nowhere else to turn, you take what people offer. [i]He said, seemingly indifferent. His body language was calm, like this discussion was normal, or else he was good at withholding information.[/i]

"Okay then, be like that." JJ turns away from the boy in frustration, and then walks to Rose, who he pulls a little farther away so that they can talk out of earshot. "So... I can try to push a little harder, put I don't think that's gonna get me anywhere. Plus, this kid's determined to get himself killed. Do you have any ideas to stop him?"

I do not think he'll try it again, but I sense that he has difficulty trusting in people. The indifference is unusual, it is not as hostile as one would expect from a teenager. [i]She said.[/i] Perhaps you could ask him a few more questions, or would you prefer that I do it? [i]She asked politely.[/i]